Denver AFTERDARK maestro, Peter Black, isn’t comfortable sitting around working on nothing. After all, an idle mind is the devil’s workshop. Not one moment goes by where Peter Black isn’t working on a new party, mix or maybe running amok on the city streets on his favorite bike. C=T caught up with Mr. Black to give us an insight on this Friday’s Denver AFTERDARK Music Festival going on at the 2700 block of Larimer. Tickets are still on sale here and you can purchase them free of service fees over at Twist & Shout for $6 (cash). That’s less than a drink at some bars in downtown for a night of live music.
Tell us about the inspiration for Denver AFTERDARK and why the need for a “block party.”
“The inspiration for ‘Denver Afterdark’ came from all the local people that make amazing music and the huge sense of community that everyone seems to share. Our monthly Analog Space parties had grown so big and it just seemed inevitable that we would want to take things one step further and attempt to translate all of that energy across multiple stages. Basically a block seemed like the only logical answer to cap summer off with a bang while presenting as many acts & artists as we could feasibly manage. It pretty much grew into a block party on it’s own.”
What would you like festival goers to get out of the experience?
“A broader sense of what exactly Denver has to offer in regards to music. I think we’ve made a very concerted effort to side-step traditionalism in many regards with our booking. I hope that the ticket buyer comes prepared to have fun and arrives without expectation. Hopefully everyone leaves feeling a sense of pride that everything was grown in their backyard. I’m obviously a big fan of the local scene as well as a champion of diversity. Let’s shake this place up!”
Why did you aim to have more than one stage on Larimer?
“After I first started approaching bands that I wanted to perform it just snowballed. Many people asked to play the festival while others I had in mind were still being approached. Denver has a very intimate community and I think word spread fast and many people were excited for a new festival. In the end it was completely necessary to book multiple venues as well as multiple stages to accommodate all the talent we decided we wanted to showcase.”
What acts were you gunning for with the eclectic lineup?
“Gauntlet Hair & Force Publique on the main stage was a total coup for us and took a bit of work that I won’t go into detail over. Many changes in the final line up took place so it’s difficult to single out particular acts. Being the curator of the festival I love everyone involved. Iuengliss, Ben Samples, The Parallel Light, I was ‘gunning’ for everyone involved. I believe in all these people and I hope that their sincerity in their art translates to the crowd as much as it has with myself.”
ANALOG SPACE presents Denver Afterdark #3 PETER BLACK Mix by Peter Black 1